445 Awakening in the Moonlight
The bright moon hangs in the sky, spreading its brilliance silently.
Hogsmeade Village, Hog's Head Pub.
At night, after all the guests had left, Ariana walked out of the room anxiously.
Percival stood on her shoulder and gently rubbed Ariana's cheek with his head, somewhat as if to comfort her.
Ariana showed a forced smile, which was even uglier than crying.
problem occurs!
After being attacked by Bock with Ignotus's brain, Ariana realized that she was in big trouble!
No matter how you look at it, Bock's attack was obviously aimed at her. Only Obscurus would lose control in an instant in the face of such an attack!
What was even more frightening was that after finally being rescued by Dumbledore, Ariana saw such a solemn look on her brother's face for the first time.
During the whole process, she didn't dare to say a word.
Originally, Ariana wanted to solve the trouble in the Forbidden Forest for her brother, but she didn't expect that she would become a bigger trouble.
This made her feel very uncomfortable.
And tonight was also the day when she should have a good "talk" with her two brothers.
Ariana stopped at the top of the stairs. She took a deep breath, and then walked down the stairs as carefully as possible, as if she would not let her brothers notice her as long as she made no sound.
Most of the lamps on the first floor were blown out, only the one at the bar was still on.
Aberforth stood behind the counter, wiping his glasses in silence.
Albus Dumbledore was sitting opposite him. There was still half a glass of Firewhiskey left on the table in front of him, and the other half seemed to have been drank in advance.
The two were speechless.
The glasses on the crooked nose bridge are clean, but the glasses on the intact nose bridge are covered with dirt.
But the eyes behind the lenses were surprisingly the same, both extremely solemn.
Ariana caught a glimpse of the wine glass on the table. She remembered that Albus had stopped drinking a long time ago. If it weren't for something on his mind, he would definitely not drink even a drop of wine.
This made Ariana feel even more uneasy. She lowered her head, her long blond hair hanging down from both sides of her head, and the guilt in her eyes could not be seen clearly.
Ariana sat on the only available stool, next to Albus.
The entire tavern was silent.
It seemed that even Percival was aware of the heaviness of the atmosphere. It stayed quietly and did not move any more.
After another while, Dumbledore finally spoke: "Ariana, you..."
"I was wrong!"
Ariana quickly admitted: "I shouldn't sneak into the Forbidden Forest without telling you, let alone contact other people casually, but...but I still have to say a word for Lily, she did not commit any crime No matter what the mistake, he has always helped me keep the secret, and the other students——"
At this moment, a warm hand gently placed on Ariana's head, interrupting her description of her "crimes".
Ariana raised her head in confusion, but what she saw was Dumbledore's smiling eyes.
Only Aberforth was still staring at her angrily: "It's good that you know you were wrong. You are not allowed to sneak away again in the future."
"Or -" Dumbledore glanced at Aberforth: "Even before running away, he should have told us."
Aberforth was very dissatisfied with Dumbledore's "indulgence", but after snorting coldly, he didn't say much.He just slightly increased his strength when putting the cup back to its original place, and then cast the repair spell with a livid face.
Ariana breathed a sigh of relief.
She finally realized that her two brothers didn't really blame herself.
"But, Ariana."
This "but" shocked Ariana, but Dumbledore's next words only made her feel even heavier.
"During the days of your recovery, many things happened in the magical world. One of them, after careful consideration, Aberforth and I decided not to hide it from you anymore——"
"Grindelwald is back."
"He managed to escape Nurmengard, and, on the night that Bork hurt you, he stole Ravenclaw's diadem."
Ariana was shocked by the news and was speechless. She thought of many things in an instant - Godric's Hollow in the summer, the original three-person duel, and the culprit who caused all this - Gellert Green. Devo!
"Don't get excited, Ariana, and don't be nervous."
Dumbledore comforted his sister, his words were more effective than Percival, and the little Obscurus quickly regained his composure.
Dumbledore continued: "The threat of Voldemort has not yet been resolved, and now there is Grindelwald. He has received the crown, and no one knows what wishes he will make - but if you look at it from past experience, this It doesn’t seem difficult to guess.”
"Besides building an army, what Grindelwald wanted to do most..."
"Just kill me."
When he said these words, his tone was very calm, as if he was discussing what to eat for breakfast tomorrow.
But Ariana couldn't relax.
"He won't stand a chance!"
Ariana wrinkled the tip of her nose and said, "I will stop him! I have the power to stop him!"
In front of their sister who seemed to have made a vow, Dumbledore and Aberforth looked at each other silently.
"Yet that's exactly what we're worried about, Ariana."
Dumbledore said softly: "Aberforth and I agree that Grindelwald is very likely to come after you."
"How could...?" Ariana looked at her brothers in confusion.
"It's not impossible."
Aberforth took over and said, with anger and disdain in his tone: "That guy Grindelwald has done this before. He bewitched a poor boy, who was also an Obscurus. Grindelwald firmly believed that only the Obscurus To kill Albus."
"Before this, Albus and I agreed that Grindelwald didn't know that you had successfully survived. For this reason, we also deliberately staged a scene at my mother's funeral, and I personally interrupted Albus's nose."
Dumbledore touched the bridge of his broken nose at the right time: "Although it was agreed in advance, it is difficult for me not to doubt that you really wanted to teach me a lesson at that time - of course,"
After seeing Aberforth snort again, Dumbledore smiled gently and said, "Even so, I deserve it."
As long as Ariana can still live well, he is willing to bear the price no matter how high it is.
Aberforth then continued: "Obviously, the effect of that scene was pretty good, and it also prevented you from becoming Grindelwald's target in the last war."
"But this time it's different."
Aberforth's tone paused, and his expression gradually darkened.
"What I didn't expect was that Lesa, the horned water snake in the Forbidden Forest, rebelled. If William is right, the horned water snake should have recognized you in the Black Sun World, so that's why There are methods that Bock will use specifically to deal with you later."
"Now, Grindelwald knows that you are still alive. He must have guessed that you are powerful. After all, no Obscurial has ever been able to live for such a long time. He will definitely put his target on you and find a way to seize your power. , or using you to kill Albus."
There was silence in the tavern for a few seconds.
Ariana stared at Aberforth dumbfounded, and her two brothers were also looking at her.
"Then what are you waiting for?!"
After figuring out the whole thing, Ariana suddenly screamed: "So, should I hide? Where to hide? Godric's Hollow is definitely not going to work. Grindelwald knows where we used to live. ——I...I'm going to pack my bags now!"
She said and was about to run back to the bedroom anxiously, but one hand was gently grabbed by Dumbledore.
"This time, you don't have to hide anymore."
"Grindelwald has the power of divination, not to mention that the crown is with him. He can know where you are hiding at any time."
"As long as he wants to, as long as he is willing to pay the price."
Blue eyes met equally blue eyes.
Before Ariana could say any worried words, Dumbledore stood up.He seemed to have turned into a mighty lion in an instant, inviolable, and his whole body exuded full majesty.
The most powerful white wizard in the world said:
"Go to Hogwarts and make up for the school life you didn't get to experience."
"This time—Ariana—"
"I will protect you personally."
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Under the same moonlight, a mysterious potion was being brewed in a house at an unknown location, and the red cauldron on the flame was bubbling with heat.
Voldemort did not focus on the crucible. He was staring closely at the Horcrux parchment placed on the coffee table, and a few fingers unconsciously tapped on the resurrection stone of the Gaunt family ring.
No one knows how Voldemort left the world of fire, not even Dumbledore.
But Dumbledore at least believed that Voldemort would not risk being destroyed along with the world by staying in a world of fire, and he definitely had a way to escape.
In fact it is.
This is ancient black magic derived from the Horcrux parchment, and the method of making the Horcrux is recorded there.
But it was this that made Voldemort feel a little abnormal.
[Helbo...why create such a black magic? 】
[Is there a time when he needs to forcefully escape from a certain space...or even an illusory world? 】
Voldemort's thoughts gradually drifted into the distance.
In the world of fire, he gained nothing and failed to personally punish Abraxas, the shameless traitor. In the end, he was used by Grindelwald and became Dumbledore's opponent.
And...Karan Sangster.
Voldemort remembered this child's name deeply.
Twice, one in Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets and the other in the Fire World, Karan became the cause of certain failures.
He also escaped from his hands twice.
His thoughts finally drifted back to the present from the distance.
While staring at the Horcrux parchment, Voldemort kept recalling the scene when he saw Slytherin's soul a few days ago.
The Resurrection Stone summoned Slytherin's soul back, or it was some kind of imprint he left in the world.
During that encounter, Voldemort saw through Slytherin's words early - he would only act as the dead and induce the living to die together, just like in fairy tales.
Voldemort was unable to get an answer from Slytherin as to why he did not survive.
But Voldemort himself had his answer.
Slytherin is really dead.
Now, it was time for him to make his own decision.
After gently stirring the crucible a few times, Bellatrix carefully turned back and said, "Master, the potion has been prepared."
Voldemort turned his gaze to Bellatrix, and there was no emotion in his eyes.
Sweat slowly broke out from Bella's forehead, and she didn't understand what was wrong with her master.
Ever since Abraxas defected to Grindelwald, the master's mood has been ups and downs. Even in the current house, the master only keeps her as an assistant and servant.
Bella should have been proud of this level of trust, but now she was inevitably worried about gains and losses.
"Bella..."
Voldemort spoke in a hoarse voice, and Bellatrix immediately lowered her head respectfully.
"Drink the potion in the crucible."
Bella raised her head in shock. She thought this was the potion used by the Dark Lord to heal wounds——
Looking at his panicked servant, the corners of Voldemort's mouth turned up mockingly, twisting into an inadvertent sneer.
"Ever since Malfoy betrayed us, I have thought carefully about it. In the near future, the traitor will eventually be punished. But my loyal servants, perhaps...should also be rewarded."
"Drink the potion, Bella, you have proven your loyalty."
Voldemort stood up slowly. He stared at Bella who was looking ecstatic, and inadvertently glanced sideways at the Horcrux parchment, which made his sarcastic mouth suddenly become more twisted.
"And next..."
Voldemort said softly, with unimaginable danger in his tone.
"I, the great and ultimately the only Dark Lord, will teach you personally—"
"How to Create a Horcrux."
Salazar Slytherin ultimately did not survive.
The Horcrux has lost its greatest role. That is not the fate of successfully escaping death.
And Voldemort finally made his choice.
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In the far corner of the moonlight, on a deserted street, Lucius suddenly appeared out of thin air while holding Narcissa's arm.
"Why are you here?"
After seeing that there was no one nearby, Lucius immediately asked in a low voice: "Didn't I say that I would let you hide after I go to Hogwarts? Why don't you listen?!"
Narcissa pulled her arm out with force, rubbed her red wrist, and immediately replied: "Who do you think I am? Andromeda can betray her family for Ted, that mudblood, I I can do this for you too! In fact, I have been in this situation since I found you..."
"You were expelled from the Black family?!" Lucius said in shock: "You...you..."
Looking at Narcissa's red eyes, Lucius could not continue talking.
"There is nothing to be confused about. They just don't want to cause trouble and don't want the mysterious man to blame themselves for this, especially Bella, who is still working under the mysterious man."
A figure walked out of the darkness, and the two immediately pointed their wands at it. But after seeing each other's face clearly, Lucius slowly put down the wand and said in a complicated tone: "Father... "
Abraxas strode over: "You should really be more vigilant, otherwise the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic can find us at any time. Now, follow me quickly."
But Lucius did not move, and all his doubts were vented: "Why did you betray the Dark Lord? I didn't understand the letter you left for me after you left. I found Dumbledore as soon as possible, only he can protect me, but I never expected that you would actually seek refuge with Grindelwald?"
"He's a wizard supremacist who doesn't care about blood and won't get rid of mudbloods."
"Also, how should we call him? Is he also the master?!"
Abraxas looked at his son calmly, but his tone was even calmer, which even made Lucius feel panicked.
"I asked you to find Dumbledore in the first place because I have seen clearly the true face of the mysterious man - purifying the bloodline of the magical world is not his full idea. Maybe it was in the beginning, but it is different now."
"I noticed this early on, but I didn't care at the time - it wasn't until I was imprisoned in Azkaban that I finally realized the mysterious man's dissatisfaction with the Malfoy family."
"Before this, you had been ignored by the mysterious man because of your failed mission to murder Ted. Then have you ever thought about it, when I was also imprisoned in Azkaban, when the Malfoy family's property was no longer How will the mysterious man treat us after it becomes so important?!"
"Have you ever thought about it!?"
Abraxas suddenly grabbed Lucius's hair and stared at his son fiercely.
Lucius was so frightened by his father's sudden action that he didn't dare to say a word.
"I've thought about it!"
Abraxas roared: "In front of those damn dementors, in the hell of despair, I figured it out and helped you figure it out - he doesn't care, this is the answer of the mysterious man!"
"He doesn't care about the Malfoy family anymore, nor does he care about us. He will even execute us at any time, including you!"
"Most importantly, he doesn't care about purebloods anymore."
"That's why I asked you to find Dumbledore. Only under the protection of Dumbledore, the mysterious person can't threaten you - but Dumbledore's role is enough. Now, we have a more reliable leader. , he will help the Malfoy family get more..."
"Tell me, what is the ancestral motto of our family! Tell me!"
He shook his son's head back and forth vigorously. Lucius endured the pain and said, "Purity will always win! Purity will always win!"
Abraxas then released his son's head, and Narcissa quickly checked to see if Lucius was injured.
"Yes."
Abraxas stared at them closely and said: "It is purity that always wins! Remember this..."
"And you, Narcissa."
Narcissa was suddenly frightened and trembled all over.
But Abraxas just slowly added in the end: "It's time for you to remember this ancestral precept of the Malfoy family."
"Now, follow me and don't keep Mr. Grindelwald waiting too long."
Narcissa stayed there for a while. Lucius turned to look at his girlfriend. While rubbing his head, he hissed in pain and said, "Quickly put away that silly smile on your face."
Instead, Narcissa smiled even more happily. She hugged one of Lucius's arms happily, completely understanding the meaning of Abraxas's additional words - it was time to become a member of the Malfoy family.
Lucius twitched his arm twice angrily but did not pull away.
He simply let Narcissa hold him, and said with some reluctance: "Mr. Grindelwald? What kind of strange name is this?"
"Stop your inner contempt."
Abraxas turned his head and warned: "Otherwise, no one will ever say the words [Pure and Eternal Victory] again."
In an attic not far from the three of them, the silver-haired Grindelwald was dressed neatly. People who didn't know better thought he was rushing to a banquet.
In front of him was Ravenclaw's diadem.
Grindelwald slowly completed the last wand gesture, letting the crown shine with dazzling light.
A faint smile finally appeared on his face.
So he took the crown in his hands.
Wear it on the top of your head without hesitation.
I don't know how many miles away, in the bright moonlight that penetrated through the gaps in the curtains.
The boy named Callan Sangster suddenly woke up from his dream.